title: Mitochondrial abnormalities in patients with HIV-HCV co-infection as compared to patients with HCV mono-infection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mitochondrial dysfunction is a classic complication of HIV infection and its treatment and has also been reported in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients. Little is known about interactions between both viruses on mitochondrial metabolism.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a cross-sectional study of HCV-infected patients who underwent liver biopsy as part of their routine care. Mitochondrial function was assessed by (a) liver morphological (histology) and functional (spectro-photometry) studies, and (b) serum lactate kinetics, oxygen uptake, and anaerobic threshold measurement during standardized incremental exercise. Three predefined groups of patients were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-eight HCV-infected patients were included: 13 not HIV infected (group 1), 7 with HIV co-infection and low nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) exposure (none over the last 2 years; group 2), and 18 with HIV co-infection and high NRTI exposure (group 3). On liver biopsies, respiratory chain complex IV activity was impaired, at 5 (2-7) nmol/min/mg substrates in group 1, 5 (3-8) in group 2, and 8 (2-13) in group 3 (normal values, 20-56). Maximal power output was diminished and anaerobic threshold occurred earlier in HIV-infected patients, regardless of NRTI exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HCV has deleterious effects on liver mitochondrial metabolism, notably on respiratory chain complex IV. No significant interaction with HIV was observed.
authors.affiliation: Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France. jean-marc.chapplain@chu-rennes.fr
authors.forename: Jean-Marc
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Chapplain
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tattevin
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guyader
authors.forename: Jean-Marc
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Begue
authors.forename: Jocelyne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beillot
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Turlin
authors.forename: Faouzi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Souala
authors.forename: Cédric
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arvieux
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rochcongar
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Michelet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood; D016014:Linear Models; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008930:Mitochondria, Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption
chemical_list: D007773:Lactates